Rocking Hammock

ABSTRACT

A hammock includes an arcuate support frame configured for periodic rotational locomotion. A resilient support surface is configured for supporting a mass of at least one user thereon during a periodic rotational locomotion. The support surface may be suspended by suspension members between opposing ends of the support frame. The suspension member may be configured for a range of center of mass adjustment points for modifying a collective center of mass location for the rotational locomotion.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The field of invention relates generally to hammocks, and more specifically, to a hammock with a rocking feature.

BACKGROUND

Hammocks provide sleeping and reclining accommodation for users. Hammocks are usually affixed to a tree or post. Some hammocks are used for camping to elevate the user from a ground surface. There is a need for another hammock design to create a fluid and versatile rocking movement.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a rocking hammock. In one aspect, a hammock includes an arcuate support frame configured for periodic rotational locomotion. A flexible support surface is configured for supporting a mass of at least one user thereon during periodic rotational locomotion. At least two suspension members are provided for suspending the support surface between each of the first end and the second end of the arcuate support frame during the periodic rotational locomotion.

In another aspect, a hammock includes an arcuate support frame configured for periodic rotational locomotion. A flexible support surface is configured for supporting a mass of at least one user thereon during periodic rotational locomotion. The support surface may be suspended by a suspension member with a range of center of mass adjustment points for modifying a collective center of mass location for the periodic rotational locomotion.

In yet another aspect, a hammock includes a support frame having an arcuate portion configured for periodic rotational locomotion on a surface and the support frame has opposing ends. A flexible support surface is suspended by suspension members disposed between the opposing end and the support surface is configured for supporting a mass of at least one user thereon during the periodic rotational locomotion.

In one aspect, at least one of the suspension members enables incremental length adjustment. In another aspect, at least one of the suspension members enables variable length adjustment. In yet another aspect, at least one of the suspension members is length-adjustable. In another aspect, the hammock includes at least one rotational stop disposed on a rotational perimeter of the support frame. In yet another aspect, at least two adjustable suspensions members are configured for modifying a collective center of mass along a longitudinal direction of the support frame.

In one aspect, length-adjusting members allow for a movable collective center of mass in a rocking stand for a hammock for single or multiple users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. Features of the disclosure will become more apparent upon a review of this disclosure in its entirety, including the drawing figures provided herewith.

Some features herein are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a hammock system with a support surface and a support frame structure in accordance with the various teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic side view of a hammock system in accordance with the various teachings of the present disclosure with a user thereon.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic side view of a hammock system in accordance with the various teachings of the present disclosure with users thereon.

FIG. 4 illustrates a suspension line system in accordance with the various teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative suspension line system in accordance with the various teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative suspension line system in accordance with the various teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic side view of a hammock system in accordance with the various teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of suspension line system in operation in accordance with the various teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of suspension line system in operation in accordance with the various teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a hammock system operation with users in accordance with the various teachings of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, various embodiments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-10 in accordance with various constructions, a rocking hammock system 100 (“hammock”) is disclosed for placement in a suitable indoor or outdoor area, such as a room, a play gym, lawn, park, playground or similar area. The hammock 100 has a support surface 110 made of any number of materials. For example, the material could be a stretchable elastic woven fiber, a plurality of inelastic fibers or a resilient sheet material for supporting the mass/weight of at least one user 160 in-static use or in dynamic movement. The support surface 110 may be mounted to a rocking support frame 200. Users can sit on the support surface 110 of hammock 100 and rock or pivot from the head-to-foot longitudinal direction. Users can sit, or lay on the support surface 110 to create variety of rocking or pivotal motions at varying intensities and speeds or remain stationary. For example, hammock 100 enables periodic rotational mechanical movement when two users are disposed toward each other foot to foot on the hammock or orientated differently (see FIG. 10).

According to the teachings of the present disclosure, the support surface 110 can be of multiple planar geometric shapes, including rectilinear shapes. In one construction shown in the FIGS. 1-10, support surface 110 is provided as a rectangular shape. The head and foot ends of the support surface 110 includes a sleeve 120 sized to receive an elongated suspension bar 130. The ends of the suspension bar 130 may protrude from the ends of the sleeve 120. Respective ends of the bar 130 are attached to one end of a suspension line or member 140 and the opposing end of the suspension line 140 is connected to an anchor point 210 of the frame 200. At least two anchor points 210 are disposed at the first end 150 and the second end 152 of the support frame 200. The anchor points 210 can be of multiple different constructions, such as, for example, an eyehook, or loop bolt. It should be noted that the distal ends of the suspension line 140 could retain any number of quick release devices, such as a non-locking carabiner device. The support surface 100 can be suspended above a ground or floor surface and be pulled with the suspension lines 140.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, in accordance with at least one construction, support frame 200 has a tubular configuration in the form of a large arcuate ground-engaging tube or rails. The radius of curvature (R) of the arc enables a periodic rotational locomotion of support frame 200. The support frame 200 can be made of any number of suitable materials, such as a molded or casted construction of high strength materials, such as aluminum or steel or high strength plastic or composite material. The support frame 200 can be constructed for an assembly of multiple tubes or could be one single tube molded or formed. In one configuration, the frame 200 could be constructed using 3D printing technology for printing in plastic or metal.

As shown in the Figures, support surface 110 may be suspended by a non-adjustable suspension line 140 between each of the first end 150 and the second end 152 of the arcuate support frame 200 during the periodic rotational locomotion or an adjustable suspension line 140 system with a plurality or ranges of center of mass adjustment points configured to modify a center of mass location for periodic rotary movement of the arcuate support frame 200. Referring to FIG. 2, the adjustable suspension line 140 system allows for the incremental or variable adjusting of support surface 110 by enabling tuning of the periodic rotational movement of the support frame 200 by way of moving the collective center of gravity M_(cg) in the longitudinal head-to-foot direction (e.g. “x” direction) closer to the center of support frame 200. Without this system, the user's head would go closer to the ground and their feet would be high in the air during a rocking motion. For ease of explanation, directional orientation is based on a user lying generally flat on the support surface 110 within the hammock 100. A foot-end is defined at the end of the support frame 200 nearest to the user's feet (e.g., the left side of FIG. 2). A head-end is defined at the end of the support frame 200 nearest to the user's head (e.g., the right side of FIG. 2).

Referring to FIG. 3, for ease of explanation of hammock system 100, the mass of an object, such as a human user, is defined as M1. Likewise, the mass of a second object, such as a human user, is defined M2. Of course, mass can be measured in any number of units, such as pounds in the English system and kilograms in the metric system. The hammock 100 and support frame 200 have a mass defined as MH. It is assumed in this example that the center of gravity of the MH is disposed at the center of the support frame 200 (e.g., ½ longitudinal length L). Further, is it assumed that x1 is the longitudinal distance of M1 from the foot end of the support frame 200. That is a reference point can be measured at the foot end (e.g., left end of support frame 200 as shown in FIG. 3). X2 is the respective distance of M2 the foot-end of the support frame 200. As such, the foot-end of the support frame 200 serves as reference point for the center of mass adjustment. According to the present disclosure, the distance of the collective center of gravity for the hammock system 100 from a reference point is defined by: the sum of the masses of each object times its respective distance from a designated reference point divided by the sum of the object masses (e.g., the formula:

${Xcg} = {\left( \frac{{M\; 1x\; 1} + {M\; 2x\; 2} + {Mhxh}}{{M\; 1} + {M\; 2} + {Mh}} \right).}$

As noted previously, adjustable suspension line 140 of the hammock system 100 enables the length adjustment of the collective center of gravity. With continued reference to FIG. 3, the suspension line 140 can be defined by a longitudinal distance Da. And the longitudinal distance from the end of Da to the center of M1 is D1. Accordingly, distance xl equals the sum of Da and D1. In other words, the distance x1 of the mass M1 from the reference point is a function of Da. Likewise, the distance x2 of the mass M2 from the reference point is a function of Da. Hence, theoretically, a formula can be considered: Xcg=F(Da) or F(Db). It should be noted that the magnitude value of the M1 and M2 effects the collective center of gravity location as well as the respective distances from a reference point.

Because the distance Da is length-changeable, the collective center of gravity longitudinal location of hammock 100 can be incrementally or continuously modified when considering the users stay in the same location on the support surface 110. Nevertheless, the reference point can be measured at the head-end (e.g., right end of support frame as shown in FIG. 3) such that distance Db is defined.

In the constructions shown in FIGS. 4-6, the suspension lines 140 may be constructed of any number of different configurations; including, for example, guy line, guide wire, straps, ropes, wire, or tension cable. In one construction, suspension lines 140 may have multiple lengths allowing for different incremental center of mass adjustment points. In an alternative construction, suspension lines 140 may have be continuously variable thereby allowing for an infinite number of different center of mass adjustment points, such as, in the case of a pulley/cable system. In one construction shown in FIG. 4, the suspension line 140 may have a single rope or cable with multiple releasable connection members 144 along the length. A shorten length can be a one-person setting while a longer length can be a dual-person setting.

In yet another construction shown in FIG. 5, suspension line 140 comprises a rope 142 with the ends having releasable connection member 144. The connection member 144 can be a multiple mechanical devices, including a non-locking or locking carabiner device. In another construction, the ropes 142 can have the ends formed in a loop with a swage 148 (compression fitting) which mechanically retains the ends together. In another construction shown in FIG. 6, the suspension line 140 may be a strap with a plurality of ribbons 146 of equal length or of differing length. As shown in FIG. 9, suspension lines 140 are provided with one rope 142 length suspending the bar 130 to the support frame 200. This configuration shortens the length towards the foot-end of the support frame 200 for users on disposed on the support surface 110. Shown in the example of FIG. 10, a two-person/two-user configuration may have the foot-end of support frame 200 with suspension line 140 longer than the suspension line 140 at the head-end. Referring back to FIG. 3 and the example of FIG. 10, longitudinal distance Db is shorter than longitudinal distance Da.

Referring to FIG. 7, one or more rotational stops 220 are provided to resist over rotation of the support frame 200 so as to prevent excessive rotational or potential longitudinal travel. According to one construction, the support frame 200 has periodic rotational movement along an arcuate portion or a defined rotational perimeter (“l”) rather than a single fulcrum point of conventional see-saws. To determine rotational perimeter l, an arcuate center of the support frame 200 can be determined such that a center angle ⊖ can be measured between the rotational stops 220. Rotational perimeter l can be determined by using the mathematical formula:

${l = {2\pi \; {R\left( \frac{\theta}{360} \right)}}};$

where R defined as the radius of curvature of the support frame 200. Additionally, the total rotational perimeter (“TL”) of the support frame 200 can be determined with the same formula except that a center angle α can be measured from the foot-end to the head-end. According to the present disclosure, a ratio of the rotational perimeter l to the total rotational perimeter TL:

$\left( \frac{l}{TP} \right)$

is less the 1.0 so to prevent over periodic rotational movement and to keep the user at a suitable vertical distance above a ground surface. In various constructions, the above noted ratio can be small for a short rotational movement (e.g., 0.10, 0.25, 0.33, and 0.50) and larger for a longer rotational movement (e.g., 0.60, 0.70, and 0.75). Nevertheless, other specific numerical parameters can be used. Referring to FIG. 10, it can be seen that the head-end of the support frame 200 is higher than the foot-end and the rotational stops 220 can prevent excessive counter-clockwise rotation of the foot-end of the support frame 200.

Aspects of the disclosure have been described in terms of illustrative constructions and embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Numerous other embodiments, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of this disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hammock, comprising: an arcuate support frame configured for periodic rotational locomotion on a surface, the arcuate support frame having a first end and an opposing second end; a flexible support surface being configured for supporting a mass of at least one user thereon during said periodic rotational locomotion; and at least two suspension members for suspending the support surface between each of the first end and the second end of the arcuate support frame during the periodic rotational locomotion.
 2. The hammock according to claim 1, wherein the at least two suspension members have a range of center of mass adjustment points for suspending the support surface in the support frame so as to adjust a center of mass location for said periodic rotational locomotion.
 3. The hammock according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the suspension members enables incremental length adjustment.
 4. The hammock according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the suspension members enables variable length adjustment.
 5. The hammock according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the suspension members further comprises a plurality of adjustment ribbons.
 6. The hammock according to claim 1, further comprising at least one stop disposed on a rotational perimeter of the support frame.
 7. The hammock according to claim 6, wherein a ratio of the rotational perimeter to a total rotational perimeter of the support frame is less than 1.0.
 8. The hammock according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the suspension members is length-adjustable.
 9. The hammock according to claim 1, further comprising a least one quick release device disposed at an end of at least one of the suspension members.
 10. A hammock, comprising: a support frame having an arcuate portion configured for periodic rotational locomotion on a surface, the support frame having opposing ends; and a flexible support surface being suspended by suspension members disposed between the opposing ends, the support surface being configured for supporting a mass of at least one user thereon during said periodic rotational locomotion.
 11. The hammock according to claim 10, wherein the suspension members further comprises adjustable suspension members configured for modifying a collective center of mass along a longitudinal direction of the support frame.
 12. The hammock according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the suspension members enables incremental length adjustment.
 13. The hammock according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the suspension members enables variable length adjustment.
 14. The hammock according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the suspension members is length-adjustable.
 15. The hammock according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the suspension members further comprises a plurality of adjustment ribbons.
 16. The hammock according to claim 10, further comprising at least one rotational stop disposed on a rotational perimeter of the support frame.
 17. The hammock according to claim 16, wherein a ratio of the rotational perimeter to a total rotational perimeter of the support frame is less than 1.0.
 18. The hammock according to claim 17, wherein a ratio of the rotational perimeter to a total rotational perimeter of the support frame ranges between 0.20 to 0.70.
 19. The hammock according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the suspension members is length-adjustable.
 20. The hammock according to claim 10, further comprising a least one quick release device disposed at an end of at least one of the suspension members. 